Stress is defined as “Mental or emotional strain placed on or experienced by a person as a result of adverse or demanding circumstances, esp. the pressures of or problems in one’s life; a state of feeling tense, anxious, or mentally and emotionally exhausted arising from this.” (OED) Though we often have a negative perception of the term stress, it is important to note that stress serves a biological purpose, and is not always a bad thing. Let’s look at what happens in the brain and body when experiencing stress.
Stress is a coordinated brain-body response, used by our bodies to help us to survive and adapt to challenges. In a modern world, this has changed from helping us escape predators to helping us prepare for a scary presentation. When our brain detects a situation as threatening, there are two kinds of responses that can be triggered: the fast response and the sustained response. There is first the fast response, Sympathetic Adreno Medullary system (SAM), which begins seconds after detection in the amygdala. The sympathetic nervous system is triggered, causing adrenaline and noradrenaline to be released into the bloodstream. The heart rate increases, as does blood pressure, and our breathing rate increases. This can be helpful for students, temporarily increasing our focus and motivation.
In moderation, cortisol is an incredibly helpful chemical, helping to maintain blood sugar and energy supply and temporarily suppressing non-essential functions to conserve energy
The second, sustained response is the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA), which happens minutes to hours after a stressor is detected. This reaction causes the hypothalamus to start a chain response which leads to the release of cortisol. In moderation, cortisol is an incredibly helpful chemical, helping to maintain blood sugar and energy supply and temporarily suppressing non-essential functions to conserve energy. Cortisol can even help with memory consolidation in the short term, helping students prepare for closed-book exams.
However, prolonged cortisol exposure has a lot of negative effects. Chronic academic stress means that our stress responses can never turn off, and eventually even remain in a stress response even when in periods of rest. When cortisol stays elevated, the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and amygdala all become impaired, leading to poor concentration, anxiety and exhaustion - the ultimate student nightmare when facing constant stress.
Regular sleep, healthy eating, non-academic socialising and hobbies are so important to maintain good brain health.
Though stress has its benefits, the negative consequences of prolonged stress emphasise exactly why it is so important for students to take care of themselves throughout their degree. Regular sleep, healthy eating, non-academic socialising and hobbies are so important to maintain good brain health. By understanding how stress works, students can learn how to build healthy academic habits, and help themselves achieve more rather than harm themselves in the pursuit of more.